Merkel and Macron to open Frankfurt Book Fair

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are to open the Frankfurt Book Fair on Tuesday 10th October, symbolising their commitment to a "strong, unified Europe".

Following the official ceremony in the Congress Center of Messe Frankfurt, Merkel and Macron will open the Guest of Honour pavilion.

The focus of the Guest of Honour programme at this year's book fair is the French language, which is spoken by 274 million people on five continents. 180 French-language authors are expected in Frankfurt during the week of the fair and 300 events will be held.

Juergen Boos, director of the Frankfurt Book Fair, said: “The presence of Chancellor Merkel and President Macron at the opening of the Frankfurter Buchmesse symbolises the close relationship between Germany and France and their commitment to a strong, unified Europe”.

In addition to Boos and Heinrich Riethmüller, chairman of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, other speakers at the opening ceremony of the 69th Frankfurt Book Fair include Volker Bouffier, minister-president of Hesse, and Peter Feldmann, mayor of the City of Frankfurt am Main. This year’s literary speakers, who are traditionally chosen by the Guest of Honour committee, are the author Wajdi Mouawad and actor Judith Rosmair.